Research

PDSA is dedicated to enhancing the lives of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and other platelet disorders through education, advocacy, research and support.

Patient-Centered Research Guidelines

In 2016, PDSA established Patient-Centered Research Guidelines with the goal of funding the most promising research that have the potential to raise an ITP patient’s quality of life by further understanding the pathogenesis and management of primary ITP to support development of new therapies and a cure. PDSA invites the research community to submit proposals for grants that will help us meet these goals.

Proposal Template

Budget Template

The Barbara and Peter T. Pruitt Jr. ITP Research Award

Two $20,000 grants awarded annually to investigators conducting innovative ITP patient-centered research, The Barbara and Peter T. Pruitt Jr. ITP Research Award is named in honor of two generous friends and the largest single donors in the history of PDSA: Barbara Pruitt, ITP patient since age four, dedicated volunteer and passionate patient advocate and Peter Pruitt, devoted caregiver and supporter serving as PDSA’s Board Chair for over a decade.

The James B. Bussel, MD, ITP Young Investigator Award

The James B. Bussel, MD ITP Young Investigator Award was established in 2017 by the PDSA Board of Directors to honor Dr. Bussel for all that he has done and continues to do to make a difference in the lives of ITP patients, their families, and his contributions to mentoring and advancing the scientific careers of promising clinical investigators.

Fellow PDSA medical advisor Doug Cines, MD, said Dr. Bussel “was a pioneer, not only of research in ITP, but for a generation of trainees who could follow his experience. His career shows that is possible to succeed scientifically and academically as a clinically oriented investigator even in rare diseases like ITP if you are persistent and have a creative mind. There are many young investigators and countless patients with ITP who have not met Jim personally and have no idea how much they owe to his contributions to research and patient care.”

The James B. Bussel, MD, ITP Young Investigator Award is competitively awarded to support excellence in academic ITP research by providing a selected student deemed to be of exceptional promise and a highly meritorious project with a $2,500.00 scholarship award funded by the Platelet Disorder Support Association.

Applications for the 2019 award are no longer being accepted. Submission dates for the 2020 award will be posted here.

Research Program: Take Action to Make a Difference

Although more is known about ITP each year and new treatments are becoming available, there are many unanswered questions. The Platelet Disorder Support Association has established a research program to support initiatives that lead to better outcomes for the people we serve.

Contribute to our research program on-line or send a check or credit card number to:

PDSA Research Program 8751 Brecksville Road, Suite 150 Cleveland, Ohio 44141 (All contributions to our research program are tax deductible.)

Survey of Non-Traditional Treatments

In 2001, PDSA worked with James Bussel, M.D. of the Weill Medical Center of Cornell University to develop a survey of non-traditional treatments of ITP. Results were compiled from almost 1,000 participants.

Quality of Life

PDSA partnered with the biotechnology company Amgen in 2006 to design and administer a survey assessing the treatment experience and life impact of ITP. This research study led to three journal articles and a poster session at the 2008 meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR).

Research Findings

PDSA attends major research conferences on thrombocytopenia and monitors scientific journals to report the latest research findings in the quarterly Publication and monthly e-News.

Clinical Trials

PDSA tracks and lists the latest Clinical Trials on ITP to assure that those who want to participate are aware of these opportunities.

ITP Natural History Study Registry

The ITP Natural History Study Registry is an international patient-consented registry of individuals with ITP. The registry aims to collect, store and retrieve data on the natural progression of ITP, enabling collection of data on diagnosis and treatment, management of care, quality of life, clinician reporting, and characterization of the ITP population as a whole.

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IMPORTANT!

The Platelet Disorder Support Association does not provide medical advice or endorse any medication, vitamins or herbs. The information contained herein is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice and is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, discontinuing an existing treatment and to discuss any questions you may have regarding your unique medical condition.